Another concern I know has been expressed among gym owners is the use of camera phones in the locker room/privacy concerns. I don't have a problem leaving my phone in my locker or in my car while at the gym. What I see as a problem is people who use their phones as mp3 players (as I do). People can be walking around with iphones, listening to music, so it's hard to enforce the "no phone" rule in that case.

As a private business it is their choice, just as it is the consumer's choice as to join this gym or that gym.

I'm against cell phones in gyms. My problem is the talking aspect of it. I belonged to a gym once where people who wanted to use the equipment couldn't because there were so many people sitting on it talking on their phones. Not only could we not use the equipment, but we were subjected to their conversations, which is distracting. In this case, if it was a doctor calling, I think the person could've stepped outside for a few minutes to take the call.

I think the gym mentioned allows use in the lobby area, not workout area.
Gym etiquette has gone down hill with the bringing of personal technology devices to the workout. People yapping all the time, distracted by their all important calls.
They hog equipment because they are oblivious to the person standing by to take a turn. If you want to yap & text for an hour, do us a favor, stay home.

Its tough to enforce unless you know everyone's personal life story. You have people with oncall responsibilities at their jobs, you have doctors, you have parents, you have people awaiting word from sick relatives, etc etc etc.

I agree with the policy of "use the phone in the lobby, not on the equipment", but again, as far as using the phone, that's also tough to enforce, because like Danielle said above, some people use it as their MP3 player as well.

And in my case, its one of the few times of day I have to myself, so I listen to music as well as flipping through emails or news stories.

Not everyone who has a phone has nefarious intent.

Absolutely not. Nothing good can come of using a cell phone in a gym . People dont want to hear your life story or any conversation at all. If your on work hours or on call, waiting for a doctor or whatever just answer your phone politely, say can you hold a second and take the call outside. Then you have people who bring them into the locker rooms. Thats a lawsuit waiting to happen because all its going to take it one person taking a picture and it gets posted somewhere online. Be smart people and have some common courtesy.

I don't understand why people have to talk or text when they're working out.
It's annoying and rude. As others have stated, people sit on the machines and text or talk with no concern for the people who are waiting to use the same machine.
My gym has a no cell phone policy, but I never see the management enforcing it.
They have one tiny sign stating the policy, but the patrons do what they want which I consider rude. There is no reason to text or talk on the phone when you're exercising period!!

I saw this story on TV. The manager of the gym said this woman was warned repeatedly for using her cell phone in the gym. It's really annoying listening to people talking on their cell phones while sitting on one of the exercise machines. I used to belong to planet fitness in Milford and people would do that all the time. Very annoying. The manager did the right thing in canceling her membership.

Is there a reasonable expectation of silence and privacy at the gym? That's the question. I don't think so - so there is no reason to ban phones. However, businesses might choose to cater to a non-cell phone clientele. That's their and their customer's choice

In general, I agree with a no cellphone policy but I do recognize the exceptions, situations that other readers have described above. However, what ever happened before the cell phone? People still were on call (they stayed at home or something if they needed to get a call), they still had sick relatives, etc etc. Many people these days have no idea of what is polite, considerate, etc. Part of this gets back to basic etiquette and respect - which I find that much of society is lacking in unfortunately.

I agree that if you have a call you must take then go out to the lobby or hallway. However I read books on my phone (kindle app) and listen to music. It helps me tune out any other loud conversations going on. No, they should not be banned.

I agree with Kazimierz Bem. It's not like the library, where silence is the standard. While I find it annoying to have to wait for a machine, eliminating cell phones won't solve that problem. Usually the ones clogging them are just sitting between sets. Also, I use mine as an mp3 player, so to ban phones would be banning the tool I use to guard against any noise! People go to the gym in pairs or groups, too, so even without talking, you'll get a life story or two every trip.

Some of you have made valid points but it all comes down to common courtesy. If your in between sets thats fine but sitting on a machine , texting and talking you lose all concentration on whats around you ( people waiting for said machine ) and like I previously mentioned. Lawsuits. If any of you who use your kindles, MP3 players , etc ever saw your pic online in a leotard/workout gear sweating your butt off or leaning over showing off some skin somewhere that some immature teenager or adult for that matter posted please dont tell me you wouldnt rethink your position. You would probably be the first to file a lawsuit for having your privacy invaded.

I'd ban TALKING on your cellphone. And obviously no pictures.

@Treehugger - Well if your referring to your lack of looks then maybe it would get posted on a "not so attractive/funny " board out there. Haha....either way I dont think you would be pleased but your response was good humor :)